Microwave processing of MIM preforms

(19)

(11)

EP 1 719 566 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	04.04.2007 Bulletin 2007/14

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	08.11.2006 Bulletin 2006/45

(21)	Application number: 06252361.8

(22)	Date of filing: 04.05.2006

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International Patent Classification (IPC):

B22F 3/12^(2006.01)
B22F 3/22^(2006.01)
B22F 3/24^(2006.01)

B22F 3/10^(2006.01)
B22F 3/15^(2006.01)

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
	Designated Extension States:
	AL BA HR MK YU

(30)

Priority:

05.05.2005 US 908292

(71)	Applicant: The General Electric Company
	Schenectady NY 12345 (US)

(72)	Inventor:
	Kelly, Thomas Joseph Cincinnati Ohio 54241 (US)

(74)	Representative: Bedford, Grant Richard et al
	London Patent Operation GE International Inc. 15 John Adam Street London WC2N 6LU London WC2N 6LU (GB)

(54)	Microwave processing of MIM preforms

(57) A method of producing a metallic component includes: providing a mixture of a metallic powder and a binder; melting the mixture and forming the mixture into a preform (48) in the shape of the component; remove a majority of the binder from the preform (48); and heating the preform (48) with microwave energy to remove the remainder of the binder and to sinter the metal powder together to form the component. The component may be formed as an individual component or continuously.

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